Insulated beverage container holder

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture for an improved insulated beverage container with a rectangular inner shell comprised of a multilayer paper towel-like material, an exterior shell comprised of a thin metallic foil in the shape of a rectangle, a double sided adhesive means for attaching the inner shell to the exterior shell, and a paper strip on the other half of the double sided strip of adhesive attached to the one side of the one end of one of the narrower sides of the exterior shell. A preferred embodiment includes a strap with a piece of double sided tape anchored at the other end along one of the long sides of the exterior shell to keep the beverage from falling out at the bottom after assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of beverage holders andmore specifically to an article of manufacture for an improved insulatedbeverage container. One of the basic problems encountered by consumersof cold beverages is that the containers tend to become slippery, andone is unable to place identifying material on them such as a businesscard or other indicia of ownership.

There have been many attempts by previous inventors to come up witheffective ways to insulate hot beverages whether in bottles or cans.However no relevant art discloses an apparatus which can equallyeffectively hold bottles or cans.

US patent application number 20070246522 A1 (Geeting Oct. 25, 2007)discloses an insulating cup wrap made of a rubberized material.

US patent application number 20070228134 A1 (Cook Oct. 4, 2007)discloses a thermally activatable insulating packaging.

US patent application number 20050236468 A1 (Sadlier Oct. 27, 2005)discloses a method of adhering corrugated paper or foam plastic as aninsulating insert to an inner cup. In the instant invention, the holderdoes not have to be adhered to the outside wall of the inner cup.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,438 (Leung Jan. 17, 2006) discloses an insulatingcup sleeve for encircling a frusto-conical container having a pluralityof transverse slits cut at least partway across the height of thecircumference of the cup.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,679 B2 (Hechmati Nov. 06, 2007) discloses a foldableair insulating sleeve which leaves a pocket of air surrounding the cup.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,281 B1 (Sommers Sep. 16, 2003) passes a continuousstrip of printable stock through at least one printing station to printindicia on a portion of the stock.

Other inventions have used glue dots to improve insulatingcharacteristics such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,363 (Rule, Jr. Nov. 28,2000). U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,954 (Michell et. al. May 1, 2001) uses apolymer film to create air pockets. Others have used two layers offabric such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,709 B1 (Hudson, Sep. 11, 2001)

Prior solutions to the problems of insulating beverage containers havetended to focus on solutions that would either work on a can or abottle, but not both. In addition, placing of indicia of ownership hasnot been an integral focus of prior technologies. The incident inventionsolves this problem by being able to be used equally easily on a can ora bottle, as well as allowing indicia of ownership to be easily attachedto the holder.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is To provide a better way to keephands dry when drinking canned or bottled drinks.

Another object of the invention is To keep canned or bottled drinkscolder longer.

Another object of the invention is To provide a for efficient method foridentifying the ownership of cans or bottles in group settings.

A further object of the invention is To provide an apparatus forcovering canned or bottled drinks which will be effective and still fitinside a typical vehicle cup holder.

Yet another object of the invention is To provide a safer beverageholder that will be less likely for the can or bottle to slip out of.

Still yet another object of the invention is An efficient and convenientbeverage holder which is recyclable.

Another object of the invention is A beverage holder which can be usedmultiple times by the same owner if desired.

Another object of the invention is A very lightweight beverage holderwhich is very strong once assembled.

A further object of the invention is A very lightweight beverage holderwhich is more attractive while retaining its maximum strength.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed an article of manufacture for an improved insulated beveragecontainer comprising: a rectangular inner shell comprised of amultilayer paper fiber material (similar to any commercially availablemulti-ply paper towel), an exterior shell comprised of a thin metallicfoil in the shape of a rectangle slightly wider than the rectangularinner shell, a double sided adhesive means for attaching the inner shellto the exterior shell, and a double sided strip of adhesive meansattached to one end of the narrower side of the exterior shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention on the inner side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the inventionon the outer side.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the invention folded up prior to use.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention with a canned beverageinside it from below.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention with a canned beverageinside it from above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a perspectiveview of the invention on the inner side. It is an article of manufacturefor an improved insulated beverage container which can hold either glassbottles or disposable cans. The elongated rectangular inner shell (23)comprised of a multilayer fiber material can be seen along with thestrap (15) attached at the original attachment point (14) of the bottom(13) of the elongated rectangular exterior shell (18) comprised of athin metallic foil in the shape of a suitably sized rectangle slightlywider than the inner shell (23) having an inner and an outer surface.The distal free end (16) of the strap (15) when in use is attached tothe bottom (13) longer side of the outer shell (18) at a suitable pointto keep the can or bottle from falling out of the holder. The rightshort side (11) and the left short side (12) are also visible. Eitherthe left short end (11), or the right short end (12) are where anadhesive means is attached to the inner surface of the elongatedrectangular exterior shell. This end with the adhesive means is thenbonded together to the exposed part of the outer surface of therectangular exterior shell after it is wrapped around the beveragecontainer. The elongated rectangular inner shell can be so affixed tothe elongated exterior shell (18) by any suitable attachment means suchas double sided adhesive tape, glue, etc.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the inventionon the outer side. The exterior shell (18) with a transparent sleeve forholding an identification indicia (19) is in place with the preferredembodiment of the identifying indicia (20) inside of it. By “identifyingindicia” is meant any printed letters, logos, signs or pictures whichconstitute an indentifying means which can be placed on the outer shell.In this case the identifying indicia is a business card but it canconsist of any suitably sized printed or written media.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the inventionfolded up prior to use where there is a right double sided adhesivemeans (21) and a left double sided adhesive mean (22) attached to theexternal shell (18) for purposes of attaching identifying indicia. Thestrap (15) is now attached at two points on the lower edge of the outershell (18) by an attachment means.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention with a beverage container(17) inside it as seen from below. The external shell (18) with thestrap (15) now anchored in place both at the original attachment point(14) and the distal end attachment point (16) are also visible. Theright double sided adhesive means (21) and a left double sided adhesivemean (22) attached to the external shell (18) for purposes of attachingidentifying indicia are also shown.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention witha canned beverage inside it as seen from above. The can (17) restsinside the exterior shell (18) and the double sided attachment means(24) for business card sized identification indicia can be seen attachedto the external shell (18) ready to receive the desired identifyingindicia.

Other embodiments are possible. for instance, there can be a pluralityof straps anchored by an anchoring means along one of the long sides ofthe exterior shell. The strap attachment means can be comprised of ahook and loop velcro means, a double sided tape means, a hot glueattachment means or a spot welded means. The identifying indica holdercan be a transparent sleeve for holding an identification means attachedby an attachment means to the outside of the exterior shell as in FIG.2, or it can just be the two pieces of double sided attachment meansshown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The identifying indicia can be a business cardas in FIG. 2, or it can consist of any suitably sized printed or writtenmedia. Further, the transparent sleeve can be large enough for holding aplurality of identification means to the outside of the exterior shell.

In addition the strap to hold the beverage container from falling outthe bottom can be comprised of two pieces of double sided tape anchoredtogether by their adhesive sides, it can be comprised of a flexiblesheet of plastic, it can be comprised of a strong strip of paper, it canbe comprised of felt, or it can be comprised of any suitable material.

Also the double sided adhesive means for attaching the inner shell tothe exterior shell can be comprised of a plurality of double sidedadhesive tape, it can be or it comprised of one wide strip of doublesided adhesive tape.

Further, in use the invention can come pre-assembled as a package withthe shorter ends pre-attached to themselves, or they can comeun-assembled so they can be stored flat.

In the preferred embodiment the exterior shell is composed oflightweight aluminum foil, but any easily foldable metallic foil can beused.

Also, in the preferred embodiment, the multilayer fiber material iscomprised of a multi-ply paper towel (preferably triple ply) similar tothose commercially available. However any suitable fiber material whichcan be attached to the inner surface of the rectangular exterior shellmay be used.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. An article of manufacture for an improved insulated beveragecontainer holder comprising: An elongated rectangular inner shellcomprised of a multilayer fiber material; an elongated rectangularexterior shell in the shape of a rectangle slightly wider than therectangular inner shell comprised of a piece of thin metallic foilhaving an inner surface and an outer surface; the elongated rectangularinner shell affixed to the rectangular elongated exterior shell's innersurface by an attachment means; and an attachment means for anchoringone of the inner surfaces of the elongated rectangular exterior shell'sshort ends to an exposed part of the outer surface of the rectangularexterior shell after it is wrapped around the beverage container.
 2. Thebeverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the attachmentmeans for attaching the inner surface of the exterior shell to the outersurface of the exterior shell after it is wrapped around the beveragecontainer is comprised of one strip of double sided adhesive tape. 3.The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein theattachment means for attaching the inner surface of the exterior shellto the outer surface of the exterior shell after it is wrapped aroundthe beverage container is comprised of a plurality of pieces of doublesided adhesive tape.
 4. The beverage container holder as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the attachment means for attaching the inner surface ofthe exterior shell to the outer surface of the exterior shell after itis wrapped around the beverage container is comprised of one strip ofdouble sided adhesive tape the same width as the shorter side of theinner surface of the exterior shell.
 5. The beverage container holder asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the rectangular interior and exterior shellsare sufficiently elongated that they can be wrapped a plurality of timesaround the beverage container before anchoring one of the inner surfacesof the exterior shell's short ends to an exposed part of the outersurface of the exterior shell.
 6. The beverage container holder asclaimed in claim 1 wherein a strap with a piece of double sided tapemeans on each end is anchored at two places on the bottom of one of thelong sides of the exterior shell to keep the beverage container fromfalling out at the bottom after assembly.
 7. The beverage containerholder as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of straps, each ofwhich is anchored at two places along one of the long sides of theexterior shell are present to keep the beverage container from slippingout of the holder.
 8. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim6 wherein a strap attachment means is comprised of a hook and loopvelcro means.
 9. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6wherein a strap attachment means is comprised of a hot glue attachmentmeans.
 10. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein astrap attachment means is comprised of a spot welded means.
 11. Thebeverage container holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein a strap to holdthe beverage container from falling out the bottom is comprised of onepiece of double sided tape anchored at each end by its own adhesivesurfaces.
 12. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6wherein a strap to hold the beverage container from falling out thebottom is comprised of a strip of paper.
 13. The beverage containerholder as claimed in claim 6 wherein a strap to hold the beveragecontainer from falling out the bottom is comprised of a flexible sheetof plastic.
 14. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 6wherein the strap to hold the beverage container from falling out thebottom is comprised of felt.
 15. The beverage container holder asclaimed in claim 6 wherein the strap to hold the beverage container fromfalling out the bottom is comprised of a strip of metallic foil.
 16. Thebeverage container holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein a transparentsleeve for holding an identification indicia is attached by anattachment means to the outside of the exterior shell.
 17. The beveragecontainer holder as claimed in claim 16 wherein the transparent sleevehas sufficient room and a shape conducive for holding a business card.18. The beverage container holder as claimed in claim 16 wherein theattachment means for holding the identification indicia is comprised ofone piece of double sided adhesive tape pre-assembled onto the outersurface of the exterior shell.
 19. The beverage container holder asclaimed in claim 1 wherein a means for holding the identificationindicia to the outer surface of the exterior shell is comprised of aplurality of pieces of double sided adhesive tape.
 20. The beveragecontainer holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the multilayer fibermaterial is comprised of a multi-ply paper towel.